Bayern begin 10-point challenge to hunt Dortmund

Bayern Munich begin their challenge to take 10 points from their next four Bundesliga matches to help bridge the 14-point gap behind leaders Borussia Dortmund when they host Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday.

Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has set the defending champions the ten-point target from their remaining matches before the Bundesliga begins its winter break on December 19.

With their place in the last 16 of the Champions League already secured, Bayern need to get back in the German league title race and currently sit eighth in the league.

“Four games, ten points: that’s no small amount,” Rummenigge said after his side lost 3-2 at AS Roma in the Champions League on Tuesday.

“We need to do it and we want to achieve that target.”

While Rummenigge addressed his comments to the squad, the message is also clear to coach Louis van Gaal, whose relationship with Bayern’s hierarchy is becoming increasingly strained: start winning more league games.

Against Frankfurt, Germany striker Mario Gomez will be looking to add to the 15 goals he has scored for Bayern in all competitions so far this season.

Van Gaal will only be missing long-term injury victims Arjen Robben, Miroslav Klose and Ivica Olic.

Frankfurt have a few injury problems with defenders Maik Franz and Georgios Tzavellas both suspended and injuries to Brazilian captain Chris, both Pirmin Schwegler and Benjamin Koehler face a race against time to be fit.

Schwegler is struggling to recover from concussion in last weekend’s 4-0 defeat to Hoffenheim while Koehler has a groin problem.

League leaders Dortmund play bottom side Moenchengladbach at home on Saturday evening after coach Jurgen Klopp last week signed a contract extension until at least 2014.

The 43-year-old is enjoying a stellar season at the helm of Dortmund who are seven points clear of second-placed Mainz in the German league.

Germany defender Marcel Schmelzer is the only main concern against ‘Gladbach after the 22-year-old picked up a knock in training.

Their guests have just one win in the their last 10 league games and are looking for just their third win of the season.

‘Gladbach look set to be without goalkeeper Logan Bailly, plus defenders Dante, knee, and Roel Brouwers, who is suffering from a hamstring problem.

Second-placed Mainz play Nuremberg on Friday and Danish defender Bo Svensson is the only injury concern with a knee problem.

Third-placed Leverkusen are at Hoffenheim on Saturday with coach Jupp Heynckes facing rebellion in his ranks after being criticised by Germany striker Patrick Helmes.

“He never talks to me,” Helmes grumbled last week before meeting with both director of sport Rudi Voeller and Heynckes on Tuesday.

But Heynckes says he has been giving the 26-year-old his chance as he works his way back to form.

“I’ve been using Patrick as much as with any other player,” said Heynckes.

“I have told him many times the things that he needs to improve.

“If a player listens to what I say, he usually gets better.”

Sixth-placed Freiburg are hoping Senegal striker Papiss Cisse, who has scored ten goals so far this season, will be fit to play at fourth-placed Hanover on Saturday after struggling this week with a knee injury.

Werder Bremen, 11, are looking to break their appalling recent record having conceded ten goals without reply in their last three league games when they host St Pauli on Sunday.

Friday

Mainz 05 v Nuremberg

Saturday

Bayern Munich v Eintracht Frankfurt

Hamburg v VfB Stuttgart

Hoffenheim v Bayer Leverkusen

Hanover 96 v Freiburg

Kaiserslautern v Schalke 04

Borussia Dortmund v Borussia M’gladbach

Sunday

Werder Bremen v St. Pauli

Cologne v VfL Wolfsburg